Migrations and cultural transfers in the Balkans
Project Director: Aleksandra Đurić Milovanović, PhD
Scientific research within the topic - Migrations and cultural transfers in the Balkans is interdisciplinary oriented, while it chronologically covers the period from the 18th century (art history) to the present day (folklore, anthropology). The research is focused on the analysis and understanding of cultural transfers in different periods, especially in the visual arts and literature in the Balkans. Migration is one of the central themes that connects researchers of different profiles on this topic, as research indicates that mobility has played a key role in the Balkans, both in the past and today, when it comes to cultural permeations in ethnically and religiously diverse environments. It was cultural contacts that contributed to the progress and development of new directions in art, literature, as well as in folk culture. Because the team of collaborators is interdisciplinary, the methodological approach to the topics is different, and they are all connected by a qualitative research method. Field work in Serbia is geographically oriented towards the area of Vojvodina and Šumadija, while abroad in the area of Romania (Romanian Banat), Bulgaria, and the United States of America. The aim of the research is to show the influences of different cultures, ethnic and religious groups in the Balkans, as well as the influence of migrations on cultural transfers in the field of visual arts, literature and traditional culture.
During 2021, the plan is to publish a monograph and at least 5 scientific papers in international and national journals and 7 scientific papers in international and national thematic collections, as well as to prepare topics in a journal of national importance. Researchers present the results of the project at scientific conferences in the country and abroad, as well as in guest lectures at universities.
Project members:
Aleksandra Đurić Milovanović, PhD, senior research associate, research thematically covers the areas of anthropology of religion and religiosity, with special emphasis on research of minority religious communities in the Balkans, interreligious dialogue, as well as ethnic communities in Vojvodina. In addition to the mentioned research, they are also focused on the Serbian diaspora in the United States of America and Romania. As part of the research, attention is also focused on the relationship between religion and migration, both in the past and today.
Dragana Đurić, PhD, research associate, researches the folk culture, mythology and demonology of the Slavic peoples in the Balkans. Deals with the issues of origin, permeation and common elements in folk beliefs, rituals and ritual practice of the Balkan peoples, as well as folk conceptions of time, especially the days of the week, and the ways of their origin. She also researches folk Christianity in the Balkans (cult places, ways of respecting and celebrating saints).
Dunja Radojević, МА, research assistant, researches Russian culture and communication culture, then confrontational linguocultural studies, as well as Serbian and Bulgarian memoirs. Universal languages, as well as Russian onomastics, belong to the broader field of research.
Marko Galić, MA, junior research assistant